Boise State Has Eye on Borges

The phone calls are starting to come from Boise, Idaho, to Al Borges, UCLA’s offensive coordinator, but none have been from anybody who can make a decision on Boise State’s head coaching job.

Borges has been called by some in Boise a prime candidate to replace Pokey Allen as the Broncos’ coach.

“I would talk to anybody,” Borges, 40, said Tuesday, “but I’m happy where I am. I love the Pac-10, and I see real potential here.”

Borges was Boise’s offensive coordinator under Allen from 1993 to ‘94, and also worked with him at Portland State from 1986 to ’92. Allen, 53, has cancer and is receiving treatment in Seattle and Vancouver, Canada. Defensive coordinator Tom Mason is the interim head coach.

Boise State is 1-6 in its first season in Division I-A. A university official said that any mention of Borges or anyone else as a candidate is “speculation,” partly from radio talk-shows, and added that Allen’s future with the university is still uncertain. Boise’s athletic director is Gene Bleymaier, who played tight end at UCLA from 1972 to ’74.

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Starting tackle Chad Overhauser has been moved to the extra-point/field-goal team, which has suffered blocks in the Michigan and Arizona State games, both coming from the same place on the line. . . . The Bruins have fumbled only six times this season but have lost every one. They have recovered five fumbles, thrown six interceptions and intercepted seven passes, making them even in turnover ratio.